Report: Celtic receive new bid for right-back Jeremie Frimpong

By Euan Davidson

January 27, 2021

Celtic have received a new bid for right-back Jeremie Frimpong, according to the Daily Record.

Yesterday, it was understood that Frimpong was travelling to Germany for talks with German giants Bayer Leverkusen. However, Fiorentina have joined the chase for the Celtic youngster.

Fiorentina sit 12th in Serie A [Sky Sports], and are having a disappointing season. Leverkusen, meanwhile, are 3rd in the Bundesliga, with a promising young core of talent including Jonathan Tah, Florian Wirtz and Leon Bailley.

The Celtic full-back has played the third-highest number of minutes in the squad this season [WhoScored?].

Frimpong was signed for just £300k from Manchester City in the summer of 2019 [BBC]. He has exceeded any expectations, having joined alongside Lee O’Connor and Luca Connell with an eye on years to come.

His direct running and ability to take on players, along with an infectious personality, have made Frimpong a cult hero at Celtic. Nevertheless, the young Dutchman told Neil Lennon he wanted to leave the club. The Celtic manager said yesterday [BBC]:

“This hasn’t appeared in the last couple of days, it’s been in the background for six or seven weeks.”

“The club had made strides to renegotiate with Jeremie and his representatives but it wasn’t the case. I wouldn’t say he was unhappy. Ambitious maybe, or he wanted to try something else to progress his career.

“We are obviously very disappointed. We did everything we could to try and entice the player to stay.”

Celtic youngster Jeremie Frimpong / (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Occasionally frustrating, Celtic youngster Jeremie Frimpong has plenty of suitors

Celtic youngster Jeremie Frimpong certainly divides supporters. His end-product and defensive abilities have been called into question this season.

Still, he has shown an adaptability that will make him attractive to European clubs. Able to play anywhere on the right-flank, Frimpong’s defensive game has improved, while he’s always a threat in possession.

Further bad news came for Celtic fans, with Karamoko Dembélé also set on a departure. The tricky young winger and viral sensation has been touted for a move to France, with Nantes and Lille tracking the player [Daily Record].

Celtic are limited for options at right-back. When Frimpong leaves, only Hatem Abd Elhamed and Anthony Ralston remain. Kristoffer Ajer can play on the right, but is better suited to play centre-back. Elhamed has struggled with injuries and homesickness. Ralston, meanwhile, has never truly impressed in the Hoops.

Fiorentina have signed players from Celtic before. In 2010, the eccentric Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc joined La Viola [FourFourTwo].